Cushion



y 1935. w. c. VAN DRESSER 2,008,158

CUSHION Filed Oct. 18, 1934' 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR M7118) %llpresser ATTO RN EY July 1935. w. c. VAN DRESSER 2,008,158

INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented July 16, 1935 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CUSHION William C; Van Dresser, Detroit, Mich assignor to Van Dresser Specialty Corporation, Detroit, Micla. a corporation of Michigan Application mm 18, 1934, Serial No. 748,899

17 Claims. ((21. 155-181) This invention relates to a cushion construc- Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view tion and has particular reference to a pad supof a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 14; port adapted to be placed between the spring Fig. 16 is a sectional view on the line Iii-I6 unit and the upholstered pad which covers the of Fig. 15 spring unit. Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 14 showing a 5 One of the primary objects of this invention further modified form of support; isto provide apad support of the above mentioned Fi 18 is an enlarged detail view of a Portion character which will be wholly flexible and which of the supp r wn in Fig. 17; may be readily associated with a cushion con- Fig. 19 is a sectional view taken on the line struction regardless of the shape, size or char- 9- 9 o Fi a d 10 actor of the cushion. Fig. 20 is a plan view of a still further modi- A further object of this inventi n i t profication of the inventive idea. vide in a pad support of the above mentioned Referring then particularly to the drawings character means to maintain portions of the wherein like reference characters designate cor- 5 pad support in. proper position with respect to resp d parts throughout 811 Views, e 111- each other. meral 2| designates generally a motor vehicle Numerous other objects and advantages of this seatrwhich, in accordance with the usual practice, invention will become more apparent as the folincludes a seat cushion 22 and a back cushion lowing description proceeds particularly when 23. Each cushion comprises a plurality of coil reference is had to the accompanying drawings springs or the like 24 suitably assembled in frames 20 wherein 25 to form what may be conveniently termed Fig. 1 is a perspective view with parts broken a spring unit. Each spring unit is covered by a away of a vehicle' seat showing the invention pad 26 formed of cotton or other suitable cushion applied to the same; material, these pads in turn being covered by up- 25 Fig. 1A is an enlarged top plan view of a holstery material 21. The present invention is 25 portion of the spring unit and pad support formdirected to a support adapted to be positioned ing a part of the seat cushion shown in Fig. 1; between the pad 25 and the spring unit to prevent Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail perspective view objectionable working of the coil springs into the of the pad support showing the same removed pad and to prevent further the cushion material 30 from the cushion; of the pad from being forced into the tops of 30 Fig.3 is a fragmentary plan view of the supthe springs. port; Referring first to the seat cushion, the pad Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially support is designated by the reference character on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3i 30. As illustrated, this support comprises a cover Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken strip formed of a strand 3| of continuous thread- 35 on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3; like material such for example as wire reversely Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of a slightly bent at spaced points throughout its length so as modified form of support; to extend transversely of the cover strip. Secured Fig. 7 is asectional view taken on the line 1-1 to the longitudinal edges of the cover strip are 40 of Fig. 6; border members 32, and in the form of invention 40 Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 88 now being described, these border members are of Fig. 6; 1/ helical springs. As brought out before, the cover Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing a strip is preferably formed of a strand of wire, further modified form of construction; crimped, fluted or reversely bent at spaced points Fig. 10 is a sectional View taken on the line throughout its length and the'helical springs 32 Ill-l0 of 9; may be threaded through the reversely'bent por- Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on the line tions of the wire so that the bent portions of the llll of Fig. 9; wire pass through longitudinally spaced convolu- Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line tions of the helical springs and the transversely 5 l2-l2 of Fig. 9; extending portions of the wire are thus held in Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 showing a spaced relation to each other. The ends of the further modification of the invention; strand of wire may be suitably connected to the Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing a ends of the members 32 and the complete support further modified form of support; thus provided may be connected to certain of the 55 coil springs of the spring unit by suitable means such as the clips 33.

The manner in which the helical springs 32 may be threaded through the reversely bent portions of the wire is illustrated in Fig. 1A. There is also illustrated in this figure the manner in which the clips 33 may secure the helical springs 32 to certain of the springs of the spring unit although it is to be understood that the helical springs may be secured by any suitable means to any desired portion of the spring unit.

The wire 3| is flexible so that the pad is wholly flexible and adapts itself to the contour of the spring unit. The border members are longitudinally extensible and resilient and are anchored at spaced points only to the coil springs with the result that the pad support may yield upon depression of any of the springs of the spring unit, the helical coils 32 however, returning the pad support to its original position when the coil springs return to their normal height. The support effectively prevents the working of the coil springs into the pad 26 and aids in maintaining the shape of the cushion.

The support associated with the back cushion is designated by the reference character 30 and differs from the support 30 mainly in the manner in which it is associated with the spring unit. The support 30 comprises the wire 3 reversely bent at spaced points throughout its length to form a cover strip as'previously described. The cover strip is provided with border members, one of which comprises a helical spring 32 which is threaded through the reversely bent portions of the edge of the cover strip as clearly illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings. It will be noted by reference to Figs. 3 and 5 that the strip 35 is secured to all of the return bent portions in the upper edge of the cover strip so that all of the transversely bent portions of the wire are properly held in spaced relation to each other.

Instead of securing the strip 35 to the adjacent coil springs of the spring unit of the back cushion, there is provided a strip of fabric such as burlap or the like, this strip being designated by the reference character 36. Its one longitudinal edge 31 is stitched as at 38 to the strip 35, while its other longitudinal edge 39 is looped around one of the,,frame members 40 of the frame 25 of the spring unit. Suitable clips 4| are provided for securing the edge 39 of the strip 36 to the frame member 40.

With the structure as thus described, it wi be apparent that when the strip 36 is drawn tight and secured in position, it holds the pad support snugly against the spring unit and in proper position to prevent the coils of the spring unit from working into the pad 26. While the tape 35 is not resilient and is not longitudinally extensible, the desired yieldability of the pad sup-' port is obtained by virtue of,the helical spring 32 which is secured to the loweredge of the pad support. If desired, ta thin sheet of cotton batting or the like may be located between the pad support, and the spring unit to prevent metal to metal contact. Insulators of this character are illustratedin Fig. 1 of the drawings and designated by the reference character 42, but it is to be understood that their use is not necessary and that they in no way affect the flexibility or the operation of the pad supports.

In Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive a slightly modified 'form of pad support is illustrated. This support differs from the supports previously described in that the border members are formed wholly of tape and are therefore non-extensible and non-resilient. As illustrated, the tape is preterably looped over the edges of the cover strip formed by the wire 3| the adhesiveness of the tape causing the same to be firmly secured to the return bent portions of the wire. In the event that the support is relatively wide, a suitable intermediate spacer 46 may be provided, this spacer comprising two strips of tape which engage the transversely extending portions of the wire snugly embracing the same and holding them in spaced relation, as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8.

While it is preferred to make at least one of the border members of the support longitudinally extensible and resilient, it might be noted that non-extensible border members may be utilized if desired, without decreasing too greatly the flexibility and yieldability of the support. It will be understood that the border members 45 for example, will be secured only at spaced points to the coil springs of the spring unit with the result that the border members may be pulled toward each other slightly at the points between their points of attachment to the coil springs of the unit. Obviously, upon return of the springs of the spring unit to their normal positions, the border members will again be drawn taut and will return to their original position. Thus while the use of non-extensible border members is not particularly desirable, nevertheless fairly efiicient results may be obtained by the use of such border members.

In Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive, a further modified form of construction is illustrated in which the cover strip is, as before, formed of a wire 3| reversely bent at spaced points throughout its length. In this modified support however, the border members 48 are formed of rubber tapes suitably vulcanized to reversely bent portions of the wire. If desired, a suitable spacer 50, also formed of rubber, may be vulcanized to the transversely extending portions of the wire at substantially the center of theco-ver strip to hold the transversely extending portions of the wire properly spaced. It will be understood that the border members 48 will be suitably secured to the spring unit as by clips or the like (not shown) and that since these border members are formed of rubber, they will be longitudinally extensible and resilient, thus functioning in a manner similar to the helical springs 32.

Instead of vulcanizing rubber strips to the edges or center of the cover strip, strips of rubber might bemolded in engagement with these portions of the cover strip. Such an arrangement is semi-diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 13 wherein the numeral 5| designates one of the border members, this being suitably molded in engagement with the adjacent portions of the wire 3| As in the case of the vulcanized rubber strips, it will be apparent that the border members and center member will be longitudinally extensible and resilient.

Where exceptionally wide supports are utilized, it sometimes becomes necessary, as brought out before, to provide means for maintaining the transversely extending portions of the wire prop-- erly spaced at the center of the support. Instead of using strips similar to the border strips, as previously described, a helical spring may be utilized for this purpose, and such a construction is shown in Figs. 14 to 16 inclusive.

Referring then to these figures, there is illustrated a cover strip formed of a wire 3", this wire being reversely bent at spaced points.

throughout its length as previously described. While no border members are shown as secured to the cover strip in Fig. 14, it will be understood that any one of the border members previously described may be utilized. In this modified form of construction, the transversely extending portions of the wire are formed with U-shaped offsets 55, these offsets being preferably located approximately centrally of the width of the cover strip. Threaded through these offsets, is a helical spring 56, as clearly illustrated in Figures 15 and I6 and it will be apparent that this helical spring will lockingly engage the offset portions of the wire and thus hold the transversely extending portions of the wire properly spaced.-

Instead of forming U-shaped, offsets in the manner just described, the wire may be formed with ofisets 51 such as illustrated in Figs. 1'7 to 19 of the drawings. It will be apparent that a helical spring 58 threadedly engaging the ofisets will hold the transversely extending portions of the wire properly spaced.

Where exceptionally wide supports are needed, it sometimes becomes advisable to use two cover strips rather than one cover strip of suflicient width to span the spring unit. Such a construction is shown in Fig. 20 of the drawings in which two cover strips are' provided, each cover strip being formed by a wire 3h reversely bent at spaced points throughout its length. The adjacent edges of the two cover strips may be suitably secured together by a border member 60, which, as indicated, may be a helical spring threaded through the adjacent return bentportions of the wire. Secured to the other edges of the cover strips are border members 6| which may be helical springs as illustrated, or alternately, any of the previously described forms of border members.

While the invention has been described as being incorporated in the cushion construction of a vehicle seat, it will be apparent that this embodi ment was selected for the purposes of illustrationonly and that the pad support may. be incorporated in any type of cushion where it is desired to prevent the springs of a spring cushion from working into the cover pad of a cushion. Further, while one form of the invention has been described as being embodied in a back cushion, it is to be understood that this form of invention may be embodied in a seat cushion and that any of the other forms described may be embodied in either a back or a seat cushion.

Further, it will be apparent that the border members may be of the same character, that is, both tape, both rubber or both springs or that alternately one border member may be ofone type and the other border member of the other type depending entirely upon the commercial re-J' quirements of the pad construction. Also it will be apparent that while certain embodiments only have been shown as being provided with intermediate spacers, such spacers are applicable to any of the forms of invention illustrated. Thus, while the invention has been described with some detail, it is to be understood that the description is for the purposes of illustration only and is not definitive of the limits of the inventive idea, the

right being reserved to make such changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts as will fall within the purview of the attached claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In combination, a spring unit, a pad of cushion material constituting a cover for said spring unit, and a flexible support between said pad and said spring unit comprising a strip of flexible material reversely bent at spaced points throughout its length to form a smooth faced flexible supporting band of substantial width and length and extending over a plurality of the springs of said spring unit both longitudinally and transversely of the spring unit, means securing one edge of said band to the spring unit, and a flexible border member secured to the other edge of said band and anchoredat spaced points to the spring unit.

2. In combination, a spring unit, a pad of cushion material constituting a cover for said spring unit. and a flexible support between said pad and said spring unit comprising'a strip of flexible material reversely bent at spaced points throughout its length to form a smooth faced flexible supporting band of substantial width and length and extending over a plurality of. they ion material constituting a cover for said spring unit, and a flexible support between said pad and saidspring unit comprising a strip of flexible material reversely bent at spaced points throughout its length to form a smooth faced flexible supporting band of substantial width and length and extending over a plurality of the springs of said spring unit 'both longitudinally and transversely of the spring unit, a longitudinally extensible resilient member secured to one edge of said band, means anchoring said member at spaced points to said spring unit, a relatively wide strip of flexible material secured to the other edge of said band, and means anchoring said strip of flexible-material to the said spring uniti 4. In combination, a spring unit, a pad of cush ion material constituting a cover for said spring unit, and a flexible support between said pad and said spring unit comprising a strip of flexible material reversely bent at. spaced points throughout its length to form a smooth faced flexible supporting band of substantial width and length and extending over a plurality of the springs of said spring unit both longitudinally and transversely of the spring unit, a longitudinally extensible resilient border member secured to one edge of said band and anchored at spaced points to the spring unit, a border member secured to the other edge of said band, and a strip of cloth stitched to said last mentioned border member and anchored,

said unit, and a support between said pad and said unit comprising a strip of flexible material reversely bent at spaced points throughout its ing band of substantial width and length and extending over a plurality of the springs of said spring unit both, longitudinallyand transversely of the spring unit, a longitudinally extensible resilient border member secured to one edge of said band and anchored at spaced points to the spring unit, a non-extensible tapelike border member secured to the other edge of said band, a strip of cloth stitched to said last mentioned border member, and means for securing said strip of cloth to the frame of said unit for holding said last mentioned border member insubstantial parallelism with the flrst mentioned border member.

6. In combination, a spring unit, a 'pad of cushion material constituting aco'ver for' said springunit, and a flexible support between said pad and said spring unit comprising a strip of flexible material reversely bent at spaced points throughout its length to form a smooth faced flexible supporting band of substantial width and length and extending over a plurality of the springs of said spring unit both longitudinally and transversely of the spring unit, non-extensible border members secured to the edges of said band, and means anchoring said non-extensible border members at spaced points to the spring unit.

7. Incombination, a spring unit, a pad of cushion materialconstituting a cover for said spring unit, and a flexible support between said pad and said spring unit comprising a strip of flexible material reversely bent at spaced points throughout its length to form a smooth faced flexible supporting band of substantial width and length and extending over a plurality of the springs of said spring unit both longitudinally and transversely of the spring unit, rubber strips secured to the longitudinal edges of the band and constituting border members therefor, and means securing said border members at spaced points to the spring unit.

8. In combination, a spring unit, a pad of cushion material constituting a cover for. said spring unit, a flexible support between said pad and said spring unit comprising a longitudinally extending cover strip formed of a strand of threadlike material reversely bent at spaced points through, out its length so as to extend transversely of said cover strip, said cover strip being of sufiicient width and length to extend over a plurality of the springs of said spring unit both longitudinally and transversely of the spring unit, border members secured to the longitudinal edges of said cover strip and anchored at spaced points to the spring unit, and an intermed'ate spacer extending longitudinally of the cover strip between theborder members and secured to the transversely extending portions of the threadlike material to hold the transversely extending portions of the threadlike material in desired spaced relation to each other.

9. In combination, a spring unit, a pad of cushion material constituting a cover for said spring unit, a flexible support between said pad and said spring unit comprising a longitudinally extending cover strip formed of a strand of threadlike material reversely bent at spaced points throughout its length so as to extend transversely of said cover strip, said cover strip being of sufficient widthand length to extend over a plurality of the springs of said spring unit both longitudinally and transversely of the spring unit, 1

border members secured to the longitudinal edges of said cover strip, at least one of said border members being longitudinally extensible and resilient, means for anchoring said border members at spaced points to the spring unit, and

means extending longitudinally of the cover strip and between theborder members and secured to the transversely extending portions of the threadlike material for holding the latter in predetermined spaced relation to each other.

10. In combination, a spring unit, a pad of cushion material constituting a cover for said spring unit, a flexible support between said pad and said spring unit comprising a longitudinally extending cover strip formed of a strand "of threadlike material reversely bent at spaced points throughout its length so as to extend transversely of said cover strip, said cover strip being 'ot suflicient width and length to extend over a plurality of the springs of saidspring unit both longitudinally and transversely of the spring unit, border members secured to the longitudinal edges of said cover strip, at least one of said border. members being longitudinally extensible and resilient, means for anchoring saidborder members at spaced points to the spring unit, and

a longitudinally extensible and resilient member extending longitudinally of said cover strip between said border members and secured to the transversely extending portions of the threadlike material for holding the latter portions of the material in predetermined spaced relation to each other.

ii. In combination, a spring unit, a pad of cushion material constituting a cover for said spring unit, a flexible support between said pad and said spring unit comprising a longitudinally extending cover strip formed of a strand of threadlike material reversely bent at spaced points throughout its length so 'as to extend transversely of said cover strm said cover strip being of suflicient width and length to extend over a plurality of the springs of said spring unit both longitudinally and transversely of the spring unit, border members secured to the longitudinal edges of said cover strip and anchored at spaced points to the spring unit, the transversely extending portions of the threadlike material being provided 'with offset portions, and a helical spring extending longitudinally of the cover strip "between the border members and engaging the ofiset portions of the transversely extending portions of the threadlike material for holding the last mentioned portions of the threadlike material in spaced relation to each other.

12. In combination, a spring unit, a pad of I cushion material constituting a cover for said spring unit, a flexible support between said pad and said spring unit comprising a pair of cover strips arranged edge to edge, each cover strip being formed of a strand of continuous threadlike material reversely bent at spaced points throughout its length so as to extend transversely oi its respective cover strip, both of said cover strips stery pad constituting a cover for said unit, and I a support between said pad and said spring unit comprising a strip of flexible material reverselyv bent at spaced points throughout its length to form a smooth faced flexible supporting band of substantial width and length and extending over a plurality of the springs of said spring unit both longitudinally and transversely of the spring unit, means securing one edge of said band to the spring unit, and a longitudinally extensible resilient member secured to the other edge of said band and anchored at spaced points to the spring unit.

14. In combination, a spring unit, an upholstery pad constituting a cover for said unit, a strip of flexible material transversely fluted to form a smooth faced flexible supporting band of substantial width and length and extending overa plurality of the springs of said spring. unit both longitudinally and transversely of the spring unit, and longitudinally extensible resilient members extending longitudinally of said spring unit and secured at spaced points to the same, said flexible band having its edges secured to said longitudinally extensible members. i

15. In combination, a spring unit comprising a layer of outer and inner spring elements, a pad of cushion material constituting a cover for said spring unit, a flexible support between said pad and said spring unit comprising a longitudinally extending cover strip formed of a strand of continuous threadlike material reversely bent at spaced points throughout its length so as to extend transversely of said cover strip, said cover strip being of substantial width and length and extending over remotely spaced outer springs and atleast one of said inner springs, and border members secured to the longitudinal edges of said cover strip, at least one of said border members being longitudinally extensible and resilient, and means for anchoring said border members at spaced points to'the said spring unit.

16. In combination, a spring unit comprising a layer of outer and inner spring elements, a pad of cushion material constituting a cover for said spring unit, a flexible support between said pad and said spring unit comprising a longitudinally extending cover strip formed of a continuous strand of flexible wire reversely bent at spaced points throughout its length so as to extend transversely of said cover strip, said cover strip being of substantial width and length and extending over remotely spaced outer springs and at least one of said intermediate springs, and helical springs secured to the longitudinal edges of said cover strip and constituting border members for the same, and means for securing said flexible support to said spring unit comprising clips securing said helical springs at spaced points throughout their length to the spring unit.

17. In combination, a spring unit, an upholstery pad constituting a cover for said unit, and a flexible support between said pad and said spring unit comprising spaced border members at least one of which is longitudinally extensible and resilient, flexible threadlike metallic cross members each of which spans the space between said border members and is connected to the same, and means for securing said border members in position including means anchoring the longitudinally extensible and resilient border member at spaced points to the spring unit, said border members being spaced a substantial distance apart whereby said cross members extend over a plurality of the springs of the spring unit both longitudinally and transversely of the spring unit.

WILLIAM C. VAN DRESSER. 

